NBA Comparison: Devin Booker

Strengths: Peterson possesses arguably the highest upside in the class, with a dynamic scoring profile that allows him to take over games when fully healthy … A fluid, explosive athlete with dazzling foot speed and an elite first step, he consistently puts defenders on skates and creates separation with ease … Truly elite change of speed and wiggle allow him to manipulate defenders in space and operate comfortably in isolation … Applies constant downhill pressure and breezes by opponents to generate clean looks at the rim or in the mid-range … Advanced shot creator who can score at all three levels, rising into pull-ups with confidence and touch … Knockdown perimeter shooter with strong volume and efficiency, hitting 2.6-of-6.9 threes per game (38.2%), showing both spot-up reliability and off-the-dribble range … Displays natural scoring instincts and touch, making the game look effortless when in rhythm … Possesses excellent positional size with a 6’5 frame, 6’10 wingspan, and roughly 8’7 standing reach, giving him the physical profile of a scoring wing … Very good ball handler who can break down defenders and create consistent advantages … Shows smooth secondary playmaking ability, capable of operating in pick-and-roll and making reads within the flow … Not a full-time point guard, but offers real value as a combo guard who can handle and facilitate … Played more lead guard in high school than at Kansas, suggesting there may be additional untapped ability to operate as a primary or combo guard at the NBA level … Athleticism, length, and scoring polish give him clear star-level upside

Weaknesses: Durability and medical concerns are the primary question marks … A significant full-body cramping issue impacted his freshman season, beginning with a preseason episode that required hospitalization and IV treatment … The condition led to missed time (11 games) and disrupted his rhythm and continuity throughout the year, with occasional caution when symptoms arose … While some reports suggest it may be manageable, teams will need to fully evaluate the cause and long-term outlook … Also dealt with additional lower-body concerns during the season … On the court, did not always fully gel with teammates, particularly late in the year, showing stretches where chemistry and connectivity lagged … Can improve as a vocal leader and floor organizer … At times leans heavily on difficult shot creation rather than consistently making the simplest read … Overall consistency from game to game can fluctuate, especially when not fully engaged or physically limited …

Outlook: Peterson projects as a likely top-three pick with legitimate No. 1 overall upside, offering a rare blend of scoring talent, athleticism, and size for a guard … When fully healthy, he looks like one of the most naturally gifted offensive players in the class, with the ability to generate offense effortlessly and carry stretches of a game … His scoring package, shot-making versatility, and smooth offensive approach draw clear parallels to Devin Booker, particularly in his ability to score from all three levels and operate as both a primary and secondary option … The major swing factor in his projection centers on resolving the cramping condition that impacted his freshman year, as it affected his availability, rhythm, and confidence at times … While there is no verified indication of a long-term issue, the situation will require thorough medical evaluation from NBA teams … If those concerns are alleviated, he has the tools to outperform his draft slot and potentially emerge as the most talented player in the class … Notably, he has shown the ability to rise in big moments, including a high school head-to-head win over AJ Dybantsa where he outplayed him and hit the game winner … With improved health, added strength, and continued development as a playmaker and leader, Peterson has clear All-Star upside …

Notes: Born Jan 17, 2007, Canton, OH … 2025–26 Stats: 24 GP, 29.0 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.4 SPG, 43.8% FG, 38.2% 3PT, 82.6% FT … Missed 11 games during freshman season due to ongoing cramping-related issues … Former No. 1 overall recruit and one of the most naturally gifted scorers in his class … Widely projected as a top-three pick despite an up-and-down freshman year shaped by health interruptions …

Aran Smith 4/18/26

NBA Comparison: Devin Booker

Strengths: 6’5 combo guard … Good length with a 6’10.5 wingspan and 8’7 standing reach … Strong build and uses his body well. Physical ball-handler and can bully smaller guards … Good athlete. Finds dunk opportunities in the half-court. Quick first step … Isn’t reliant on his physically superior body or athleticism. Instinctive offensively and natural basketball IQ. Reads the defense well and smooth with the ball. Big-time scorer with high efficiency. Plays within the flow and doesn’t typically hunt for his points. Natural creator and shot maker. A threat to score from anywhere on the floor. Gets his shot off while poised against tight defensive pressure. Has been face-guarded more than anyone else in his class and has faced physical defenders since his underclassman years. Scores well from midrange on step-backs and other array of dribble moves with very good touch on pull-up. Has a knack for hitting tough and contested shots all the way out to the 3PT line with good mechanics. Solid post-game in the midrange; using his body, footwork, and fadeaway over either shoulder. Uses either hand at the rim. Scoring stats: 5^th best 16.8 PPG 3^rd best 66.7% FG% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 15.4 PPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 24.5 PPG 49.2% FG% adidas 3SSB 2024, 2^nd best 21.5 PPG 60% FG% adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Good 3PT shooter with natural touch … Initiates contact and handles physicality well. Draws fouls at a high rate and is a very reliable free throw shooter. FT shooting: 78.6% FT% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 86.2% FG% 5.8 FTA NBPA Top 100 2023, 88% FT% 8.3 FTA 3SSB 2024 … Handles with either hand and changes speed well with the ball. Creates well without over-dribbling or dancing with the ball. Effective use of hesitation, the defense is tense and bites on hesitation moves with his success on pull-ups. Uses screens well and solid pick & roll ball-handler; getting into the midrange, turning the corner to get into the paint, or making the right pass. Effectively gets to his spots. Doesn’t get sped up. Always under control taking it to the basket … Despite high scoring numbers, he doesn’t have tunnel vision or have to force too much. Good passing and keeps turnovers low, especially considering his usage with the ball. Plays well off the ball but capable of initiating the offense. Understands floor balance without the ball and good about finding the open man when the help comes. Assist to turnover: 5^th best 3.7 APG/1 TOPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, 3.4 APG/1.4 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 2.9 APG/2.1 TOPG adidas 3SSB 2024, 3.5 APG/1.5 TOPG adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 7.4 (1.3 offensive) rebounds per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024 and a 5^th best 6 (1 offensive) rebounds per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2024 … Good tools, physicality, and competitiveness as a defender. Understands positioning. Sticks to the ball-handler and gets clean swipes on the ball. Smart defending off the ball and knows when to double-team. Steal stats: 2^nd best 3.3 SPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, event best 2.2 SPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 2.5 SPG adidas 3SSB 2024, 4^th best 2 SPG adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Can defend bigger players. Good shot blocker for position with instinctive timing. Averaged 1.6 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 and 1.7 blocks per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024 … Mature approach. Aggressive and confident. Natural and effortless demeanor …

Weaknesses: Well-rounded prospect and doesn’t have much glaring weakness in his game … Good athlete but isn’t top tier explosive … More effective getting to the rim with triple threat than live dribble. Can get caught up looking for fouls on pull-ups rather than shooting a simpler and less contested shot … While he has had some great 3PT shooting events that we can’t ignore, 42.9% 3PT% on 2.3 3PT attempts per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 and a 5^th best 62.5% 3PT% on 4 3PT attempts per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2024, he can still improve 3PT shooting consistency in league play. Shot 32.3% 3PT% on 4.1 3PT attempts per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024. He can still develop into a more reliable knockdown shooter … Can be foul prone …

Outlook: Incoming Kansas freshman … Transferred to Huntington Prep for his junior year and Prolific Prep for his senior year … Won Gold and named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 … Earned MVP leading Prolific Prep to win the Grind Session Championship with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in the championship game … 2025 Naismith High School Player of the Year and 1^st team … Earned MVP 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game with 18 points (7-14 FG), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals … Named to the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic …

Evan Tomes 6/29/25

Strengths: 6’5 scoring guard … Good length with a 6’10.5 wingspan and 8’7 standing reach … Strong build and uses his body well. Can bully smaller guards … Good athlete. Finds dunk opportunities in the half-court. Quick first step … Instinctive offensively and natural basketball IQ. Reads the defense well and smooth with the ball. Big-time scorer with high efficiency. Plays within the flow and doesn’t typically hunt for his points. Natural creator and shot maker. A threat to score from anywhere on the floor. Gets his shot off while poised against tight defensive pressure. Has been face-guarded since his underclassman years. Scores well from midrange on step-backs and other array of dribble moves with very good touch on pull-up. Has a knack for hitting tough and contested shots all the way out to the 3PT line with good mechanics. Solid post-game in the midrange; using his body, footwork, and fadeaway. Scoring stats: 5^th best 16.8 PPG 3^rd best 66.7% FG% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 15.4 PPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 24.5 PPG 49.2% FG% adidas 3SSB 2024, 2^nd best 21.5 PPG 60% FG% adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Very good 3PT shooter with natural touch … Initiates contact and handles physicality well. Draws fouls at a high rate and is a very reliable free throw shooter. FT shooting: 78.6% FT% U16 Americas Championship 2023, 86.2% FG% 5.8 FTA NBPA Top 100 2023, 88% FT% 8.3 FTA 3SSB 2024 … Handles and changes speed well with the ball. Creates well without over-dribbling or dancing with the ball. Effective use of hesitation, the defense is tense and bites on hesitation moves with his success on pull-ups. Uses screens well. Effectively gets to his spots. Doesn’t get sped up. Always under control taking it to the basket … Despite high scoring numbers, he doesn’t have tunnel vision or have to force too much. Good passing and keeps turnovers low, especially considering his usage with the ball. Plays well off the ball. Understands floor balance without the ball and good about finding the open man when the help comes. Assist to turnover: 5^th best 3.7 APG/1 TOPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, 3.4 APG/1.4 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 2.9 APG/2.1 TOPG adidas 3SSB 2024, 3.5 APG/1.5 TOPG adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 7.4 (1.3 offensive) rebounds per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024 and a 5^th best 6 (1 offensive) rebounds per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2024 … Good tools and competitiveness as a defender. Understands positioning. Sticks to the ball-handler and gets clean swipes on the ball. Smart defending off the ball and knows when to double-team. Steal stats: 2^nd best 3.3 SPG U16 Americas Championship 2023, event best 2.2 SPG NBPA Top 100 2023, 2.5 SPG adidas 3SSB 2024, 4^th best 2 SPG adidas Eurocamp 2024 … Can defend bigger players. Good shot blocker for position with instinctive timing. Averaged 1.6 blocks per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2023 and 1.7 blocks per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024 … Aggressive and confident …

Weaknesses: Well-rounded prospect and doesn’t have much glaring weakness in his game … Good athlete but isn’t top tier explosive … Tends to prefer to pull up for a contested jumper at times rather than get to the rim. More effective getting to the rim with triple threat than live dribble … Nitpicking a bit here because he is a big-time shooter. He has had some great 3PT shooting events that we can’t ignore, 42.9% 3PT% on 2.3 3PT attempts per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 and a 5^th best 62.5% 3PT% on 4 3PT attempts per game at the adidas Eurocamp in 2024, but he can improve 3PT shooting consistency in league play. Shot 32.3% 3PT% on 4.1 3PT attempts per game over the adidas 3SSB in 2024 … Can be foul prone …

Outlook: Transferred to Huntington Prep for his junior year and Prolific Prep for his senior year … Won Gold and named to the All-Tournament 1^st Team at the U16 Americas Championship in 2023 …

Evan Tomes 11/11/24

Notes: Measured: 6′ 5.5” with shoes, 196 lbs, 6′ 10.5” wingspan, 8′ 7” standing reach at the 2024 adidas Eurocamp … Measured 6′ 4” barefoot, 193 lbs, and a 6′ 9.75” wingspan at the 2024 adidas All-American Camp …